Blues Artist of the Week - Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon (1915-1992) was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and like many other Blues artists, moved to Chicago in the 1930s.
He is self-described as the “poet laureate of the blues” and “the father of modern Chicago Blues.” At a young age, he sang gospel.
Willie was a bassist, guitarist, singer, arranger, musician rights activist, and producer, but most prolific as a songwriter. He has over 500 song titles to his name. He penned A classic, The Red Rooster, covered by numerous bands, including The Rolling Stones “Little Red Rooster” in 1964.
Like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who I featured earlier in this series, Dixon left Mississippi for Chicago in 1936.
Willie was a towering man at 6 feet 6 inches tall and over 250 pounds when he moved to Chicago. He was a successful boxer with this frame and won the Illinois State Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championship (Novice Division) in 1937. For a short time, he was also a sparring partner for Joe Louis. He left boxing after a money dispute with his manager and focused solely on music.
Along with Muddy Waters, he was a force in the Chicago Blues scene. As a songwriter, he penned many great songs for Muddy Waters.
Dixon became a relentless advocate for the blues and a major voice for its practitioners in his later years. To help preserve the Blues legacy, Willie Dixon founded the Blues Heaven Foundation.
This Foundation works to preserve the blues’ legacy and secure copyrights and royalties for blues musicians previously exploited.
Willie was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994- posthumous) and the Blues Hall of Fame 1980.
Listening Pleasure
I recommend starting with Willie Dixon – I am the Blues.
Willie’s Home Page